The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1887-04-28

benefcent institution. That it does
all these, every man knows, who UNI
derstands its principles, and is famil-
lar with with its history, What it is,
and what It's doing, all way know who
choose.
Its principles and objects are pub
lished to the world it is "secret So
ciety" onlyin its internal economy
it shrouds nothing in darkness, ex-
cept its own private, family affairs. 1t
does this for its own preservation and
the protection OF its members, and the
efficiency Of its action. IL commends
itself to the world by the principles
it avows, by its public acts, and by the
personal character Of its membership
The matters withheld from the pop
ular gauge are those only in which
outsiders have no concern. 1t is the
hopeful faith of the christian, that
Gods spirit now broods the earth,
as once He did over primeval chaos
bringing order out of confusion and
over-ruling evil for good. That the
cause OF humanity is His cause, and
that He approves and blesses the va
rlous means that men who trust in
Him, are employing for the elevation
OF our fallen race,and that He will sus-
tam and prosper them, (overrulng
their elrors) until in his own good
time and way, the truth shall cover
the earth as the waters cover the great
deep, The true Odd Fellows, who UNI
= derstands and appreciates the full sig
nifcance of the teachings of his order
! and,whose heart is filed with its Hy-
/, ing principles, holds the same cheerful
: faith. He believes that man is suscep.
| tible OF and destined to higher and
: more glorious earthly career than any
+ he has yet found and that society is
e not stationary, but advancing TOWARD
o perfection, and in the distant future
S he sees that bright and peaceful day
d when friendship, love and truth, shall
G assert their mastery over the fierce
and selfish passion Of our nature
y when in the beautiful language o
6 prophecy, "the wolf shall dwell will
&c the lamb, and the leopard shall lii
is down with the kid and the calf ant
J. the young lion and the fateing togeth
o er, and little child shall lead them
II when nation, shall not lift up swor,
against nation neither shall they lear
a, war any more
is Brothers, this beautiful prophet
II picture, to be realized in the distan
n future, when the dark shadows tina
4 now rest upon our world shall be illu
h minated by the full blaze of millenia
a. glory, should have its counterpart i
lie every Lodge Of our Order. 1t is
IN picture OF assumed and confdin
&c peace, whose every line and shade i
e, in harmony with the principles b
OF which we, as Odd Fellows, propose t
OF be governed in our intercourse wit
IL each other. Let the bonds OF col
1t dial friendship bind us together lie
IS, a sincere regard for the happiness {
lg each other, and for the prosperity {
is our order, cement and perpetuate tina
is friendship and may truth, the last {
the triple links Of gold, govern on
e, conduct and guide our feet throug
IN all this weary way of life.
Oh After this Rev.W. r. Barnett, of tn
~ JOnesbcro Lodge made short tai
VI and then dinner was served Ate
" dinner the members marched back {
:" the Lodge room and disbanded an
y spent the rest Of the afternoon takin
g in the different points of interest in tn
nS city.